Tottenham vs Bodø/Glimt | Europa League | Semi-Finals | 1st Leg | Pre Match
Tottenham vs Bodø/Glimt
Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of salvaging a tumultuous 2024-25 campaign rest squarely on their UEFA Europa League semifinal clash against Bodø/Glimt, with the first leg set to unfold at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday. The North London club is reeling from a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, a result that not only crowned the Reds as Premier League champions but also laid bare the frailties of Spurs’ domestic season. Ange Postecoglou’s side has struggled to find consistency, with their dismal league form casting a shadow over what was once a promising project under the Australian manager. However, the Europa League has offered a lifeline 1) a lifeline, providing Spurs with a chance to restore pride and potentially secure silverware. Facing a Bodø/Glimt side that has defied expectations as the first Norwegian team to reach a major European semifinal, Tottenham must leverage their formidable home record in European competitions to seize the advantage in this crucial first leg. With a place in the final against either Manchester United or Athletic Club at stake, this match represents a pivotal moment for both clubs, each carrying the weight of history and ambition into a contest that promises drama and intensity.
Tottenham’s European campaign has been a stark contrast to their domestic woes, with the team boasting an impressive 19-match unbeaten run at home in European competitions (15 wins, 4 draws). This streak, the longest ongoing run among English clubs in Europe this season, dates back to their last home defeat, a 1-0 loss to RB Leipzig in February 2020. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become a fortress in continental fixtures, with Postecoglou’s side thriving in the electric atmosphere generated by their passionate supporters. This unbeaten record provides a glimmer of hope as Spurs aim to rebound from their chastening loss to Liverpool, where a brief moment of promise from Dominic Solanke’s early goal was overshadowed by a defensive collapse that epitomized their season’s struggles. Postecoglou’s decision to make eight changes for the Liverpool match—the most alterations between Premier League games in the club’s history—underscored his prioritization of the Europa League, with rotation becoming a key strategy to manage a grueling schedule. Solanke, who has emerged as a pivotal figure in Europe with seven goal involvements this season (three goals, four assists), will be central to Spurs’ attacking ambitions. His penalty in the 1-0 quarter-final win over Eintracht Frankfurt secured a 2-1 aggregate triumph, highlighting his knack for delivering in crucial moments. With only Rangers’ James Tavernier (2021-22) and Fulham’s Bobby Zamora (2009-10) surpassing his Europa League contributions among English players in a single season, Solanke’s form will be critical against a Bodø/Glimt side renowned for its defensive tenacity.
Bodø/Glimt, however, are no pushovers, having made history as the first Norwegian club to reach the semifinals of a major European competition. Their remarkable journey, which mirrors Ukraine’s Dynamo Kyiv’s 1998-99 Champions League semifinal run as a national milestone, has been defined by resilience and tactical discipline under manager Kjetil Knutsen. The Norwegian champions have been relentless in their defensive efforts, recording 296 tackles in this season’s Europa League—the highest single-season total since Marseille (309) and Red Bull Salzburg (346) in 2017-18. Captain Patrick Berg has led the way with a record 63 tackles, but his suspension due to yellow card accumulation, alongside those of midfield partner Hakon Evjen and forward Andreas Helmersen, poses a significant challenge. The potential absence of first-choice centre-back Odin Bjørtuft, who limped off in Bodø/Glimt’s recent 3-0 win over KFUM, and doubts over Ole Blomberg further weaken their squad. These absences could disrupt the cohesion that has propelled Bodø/Glimt to this stage, particularly given their struggles in away knockout matches. The Norwegian side has lost their last three Europa League away games in the knockout stages and managed only one win in 10 away attempts (three draws, six losses), with a 2-1 victory at Braga in the league phase as their sole highlight. Historically, only Ajax (2016-17) and Rangers (2021-22) have reached a Europa League final after losing the away leg in the last 16, quarter-finals, and semifinals, making Bodø/Glimt’s task at Tottenham’s intimidating stadium all the more daunting.
Despite their away struggles, Bodø/Glimt’s historic run and Knutsen’s tactical acumen make them a dangerous proposition. Knutsen, only the second Norwegian manager to lead a team in a Europa League semifinal after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is acutely aware of the challenge posed by English opposition, with Norwegian managers losing all eight of their Europa League encounters against English teams. Bodø/Glimt’s own record against English clubs is equally bleak, with three losses in three meetings, including home and away defeats to Arsenal and a 3-2 loss at Manchester United in the league phase. Yet, their ability to defy expectations—evidenced by their commanding performances in Norway and their competitive showings against top European sides—suggests they will not be overawed by the occasion. Knutsen will likely rely on the attacking flair of players like Jens Petter Hauge and the physicality of their midfield to disrupt Tottenham’s rhythm, while hoping to capitalize on any defensive lapses from a Spurs side that has been prone to implosions, as seen in their Liverpool debacle. The absence of key players, however, may force Bodø/Glimt to adopt a more cautious approach, potentially ceding possession to Spurs and looking to exploit counterattacks or set pieces.
For Tottenham, this semifinal represents their ninth appearance at this stage of a major European competition and their first since the 2018-19 Champions League, where Lucas Moura’s dramatic hat-trick against Ajax secured a memorable comeback. Spurs have a strong historical record against Norwegian opposition, winning all four of their previous European encounters, including emphatic victories over Lyn (1972-73 UEFA Cup) and Tromsø (2013-14 Europa League). However, injuries threaten to derail their ambitions, with captain Son Heung-min doubtful due to an ankle issue and centre-back Radu Dragusin ruled out for the season following ACL surgery. These absences place additional pressure on Solanke, Brennan Johnson, and the creative guile of James Maddison to unlock Bodø/Glimt’s robust defense. Postecoglou’s challenge will be to instill belief in a squad battered by their domestic struggles, harnessing the energy of their home crowd to maintain their unbeaten European record. Spurs’ ability to recover from first-leg deficits in their last two semifinal appearances (against Hajduk Split in 1983-84 and Ajax in 2019) offers hope, but the fragility exposed against Liverpool underscores the need for defensive solidity and clinical finishing.
As Thursday’s clash approaches, both teams face a defining moment in their seasons. For Tottenham, a victory could reignite their campaign and propel them toward a first trophy since 2008, restoring faith in Postecoglou’s vision. For Bodø/Glimt, a positive result would cement their status as a European force and bring them within touching distance of a historic final. The tactical battle between Postecoglou’s high-pressing, attacking philosophy and Knutsen’s disciplined, counterattacking approach promises to be a fascinating chess match, with individual brilliance from Solanke or Hauge potentially tipping the scales. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will be a cauldron of noise, amplifying the stakes as Spurs aim to extend their European resurgence and Bodø/Glimt seek to make history. With the second leg in Norway looming, this first encounter will set the tone for a tie that could hinge on fine margins, delivering a spectacle worthy of the Europa League’s grand stage.
